ASSESSMENT OF WATER QUALITY AND HEAVY METAL CONTAMINATION IN SELECTED HIGHER INSTITUTIONS IN GOMBE STATE, NIGERIA

This study assessed the physico-chemical quality of water samples collected from selected locations in Gombe state, Nigeria.Water samples were collected from six (6) sampling locations: College of Education (COE), Billiri; Federal university Kashare (FUK); Gombe state university (GSU); Gombe state polytechnic Bajoga (GSPB); College of legal and Islamic study (CLIS), Nafada and Federal polytechnic Kaltungo. The water samples were analyzed for pH, electric conductivity, total dissolved solid (TDS), Turbidity, Temperature, total iron (Fe), lead (Pb), Cadmium (Cd), and Zinc (Zn). The results obtained from this study were compared with the Nigerian standard for drinking water quality (NSDWQ) maximum permissible limits. The pH values ranged from 5.80-7.69, with the COE Billiri and FUK samples recording values below the recommended range of 6.5-8.5. Electrical conductivity ranged from 185-443µS/cm, while TDS ranged from 120-288mg/L. Turbidity values ranged from 0.75-1.76 NTU, and temperature 28.1-28.6oC. Total iron concentration ranged from ND-0.14mg/L, lead from 0.0022-0.0087 mg/L, Cadmium from not detected-0.0019mg/L and Zinc from 0.211-0.843 mg/L. In conclusion, majority of the measured parameters were within the stated permissible limits. The findings indicate that the investigated water sources had acceptable physico-chemical quality. Periodic monitoring of the water sources, microbiological analysis and appropriate water treatment are recommended.